On Thursday, April 23, 2026, the seventh episode of Pechino Express 2026 – L’Estremo Oriente aired exclusively on Sky Uno and streamed on NOW, marking the penultimate leg of the competition in China. The episode, broadcast at 9:15 p.m. Local time, featured the five remaining couples undertaking a grueling 804-kilometer journey from Nanjing to Dengfeng, a stretch confirmed by multiple Italian media outlets as the longest single leg in the show’s 12-season history.
The route required teams to traverse from the ancient imperial city of Nanjing, through Shouchunzhen where they were tasked with signing the symbolic “Red Book,” before ascending the steep staircase leading to the final checkpoint in Dengfeng. This leg tested not only physical endurance but also mental resilience, as producers introduced the infamous “Sette Mostri” challenge — a traditional local delicacy tasting round known for pushing contestants far outside their culinary comfort zones.
According to verified reports from Quotidiano Nazionale and TG24 Sky Italia, the team known as “I Rapper” — Dani Faiv and Tony 2Milli — emerged victorious in the seventh leg, securing their first stage win of the season. Their triumph came amid heightened tension, as the episode also featured the introduction of a latest wildcard duo: “Le Zanzare,” composed of show host Costantino della Gherardesca and his China-based correspondent Giulia Salemi. Though not competing for elimination, Le Zanzare were tasked with administering the “Fariba Flag” penalty, a symbolic sanction named after the mother of Giulia Salemi that forced affected teams to endure a lengthy phone call from her — a twist described by viewers as both humorous and psychologically taxing.
The episode further revealed internal strains among the remaining alliances. Footage showed Fiona May and Patrick Stevens, known as “I Veloci,” holding the black envelope that grants the power to assign a disadvantage to another team. They chose to penalize “I Raccomandati” — Chanel Totti and Filippo Laurino — by requiring them to climb the Dengfeng staircase four times, a decision May justified on camera by calling her rivals “the strongest.” Laurino’s visible frustration upon completing the task, met with a sharp retort from Totti — captured on camera as a muttered “vaffa” — underscored the growing friction within what had previously been considered one of the show’s most stable pairs.
Despite their strong start and early favoritism, I Raccomandati were ultimately eliminated at the end of the leg, marking the second departure of the season following the earlier exit of “Gli Spassusi.” Their elimination left four teams in contention: I Veloci, Le Dj (Jo Squillo and Michelle Masullo), I Rapper, and Le Albiceleste (Candelaria and Camila Solórzano), all of whom acknowledged the increasing unpredictability of the race as it approached its final stages.
The seventh episode was widely noted not only for its record-breaking distance but also for its emotional intensity, blending physical hardship with interpersonal drama. Host Costantino della Gherardesca, speaking in a post-episode interview with Style Magazine, acknowledged the toll the leg had taken, stating that the combination of distance, food challenges, and psychological twists had made it “the most demanding yet” for both contestants and production crew.
As the race prepares to shift to Japan for the final stretch, the remaining teams face an uncertain road ahead. With no further eliminations confirmed before the finale, viewers anticipate a climactic conclusion to a season already defined by its length, rigor, and unexpected turns.
For ongoing updates on Pechino Express 2026, including episode recaps, behind-the-scenes insights, and official standings, viewers are encouraged to follow the show’s official channels on Sky Uno and the NOW streaming platform.
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